Help! Basic but sweet wedding, group of 12.

[fozziepitysthefool]

A friend of mine is getting married for the second time and her and her fiancé are blending families. It will be the two adults and 5 kids, plus maybe 5 other family members, so likely 12-15 people. They are preferring a ''beach'' location.

Any suggestions for on/off Disney?

Budget is a bit of an issue and they really only want the basics: beach, officiant, quick (but sweet) ceremony and a wee cake to cut. I don't even think they need an official photographer. They also don't want to have to stay at a more expensive hotel (they have booked rooms at a value resort.)

I haven't been able to make heads or tails of the Disney packages, but I think they might be a bit much and too expensive for what they want/need...

Timeline is late December 2013.

I think they would forego the ''beach'' for a pretty Disney venue (ie using Italy at Epcot).

Any help you could provide would be most appreciated.

Fozziepitysthefool

 

[lurkyloo]

If they had fewer people, the $2,495 Memories Collection would be perfect, but it's limited to 6 total.

The Escape Collection is good for their group size but at $5,925 probably more than they want to pay.

The independently owned Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin has packages and venue-only options starting at $1,815 with no guest limit, and they have a beach location.

If they have a military or government sponsor, they could do an event at Shades of Green. Packages start at $1,500, but you can also just rent the gazebo there for $250. Then they could arrange any other services (cake, flowers) through local vendors on their own.

Another idea might be Characters In Flight, the giant balloon at Downtown Disney. Sensational Ceremonies offers a $1,500 package, but I'll bet they'd cut the price if you dropped some of the stuff it includes. Capacity is 27.

Hope this helps!

 

[fozziepitysthefool]

Thanks so much! Will defo check out the Swan and Dolphin!

 

[MrsDuck]

Thanks so much! Will defo check out the Swan and Dolphin!

I'm a Swan and Dolphin bride and can't say enough good things about them!! Feel free to check out my planning journal or our thread at the top of this page.

 

[quandrea]

Another vote for the Swan. I did a vow renewall there in 2011 for $3000 including absolutely everything (catering, ceremony, photos, floral, dress, etc, etc, etc) I have a planning journal too. No link but the title is renewing the magic, user name quandrea

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Another. S/D (VR) bride here. Highly recommend their service!!!! You can have a lovely wedding, right there in WDW, for a fraction of the cost of a similar event organised through DFTW. Well worth investigating!!!!

 

[monami7]

If they had fewer people, the $2,495 Memories Collection would be perfect, but it's limited to 6 total.

The Escape Collection is good for their group size but at $5,925 probably more than they want to pay.

The independently owned Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin has packages and venue-only options starting at $1,815 with no guest limit, and they have a beach location.

If they have a military or government sponsor, they could do an event at Shades of Green. Packages start at $1,500, but you can also just rent the gazebo there for $250. Then they could arrange any other services (cake, flowers) through local vendors on their own.

Another idea might be Characters In Flight, the giant balloon at Downtown Disney. Sensational Ceremonies offers a $1,500 package, but I'll bet they'd cut the price if you dropped some of the stuff it includes. Capacity is 27.

Hope this helps!

Lurky Loo
I wanted to clarify that at the shades of green locations (Wedding Gazebo and Lobby Balcony) are only $125 to rent for 1 hour.
This is what we are doing in Nov. Their are a few other options too that start at $250. For their party size though I think the first two would be fine.

If they have someone to sponser.
Heidi

 

[monami7]

I just looked at sensational ceromonies. Their options look great. The Paradise Cove package is only $1600! That is on a beach!

 

[Lorelei528]

Hey...for Swolphin weddings/VR's....do you need to be staying there?

 

[tinkerbell 766]

No, not at all. We stayed at BLT XX